Challenge Accepted

Marianne still goes all-out without sacrificing style. "The house is very warm and welcoming," she says. "I host an annual holiday party with a fire going in the living room, Christmas music playing and hors d'oeuvres and desserts in the dining room."

Quick Candle Arrangement

Fill a serving bowl with strands of silver ball garland (jamaligarden.com), jingle bells (orientaltrading.com) and clear ornaments, then nestle candles in various sizes in the pile. Mound the bells around the tall taper candles to keep them straight.

Holiday Card Display

Simple Centerpiece

Make this beautiful tablescape: Place a battery-operated pillar candle in a glass cylinder and surround it with silver jingle bells. Embellish white vases with red yarn. Tie the ends so they won't unravel, wrap the yarn around the container a few times, then secure the end knots to the vase with craft glue.

Mini Tree

Coat branches from the yard with glittery silver spray paint and "plant" them in the vase using floral foam to keep them in place. Then add silver garland to hide the floral foam, and hang small ornaments from the twigs.

Adorn Your Front Door

Use a bright wreath that won't dry out like needly pine. Wrap yarn in alternating hues around a Styrofoam wreath form, tying the ends when you switch colors. Add a cluster of jingle bells using silver craft wire. The bells will jingle when the door opens and shuts.